Inker for marking machines



Nov. 27, 1934.

F. MAGIDSON Filed Aug. 18, l932 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR' s fi em Nov. 27, 1934. F. MAGIDSON INKER FOR MARKING MACHINES Filed Aug. 18, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 27, 1934. F. MAGI'DSON INKER FOR MARK ING MACHINES Filed Aug. 18, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Nov. 27, 1934 Units STATES 1,982,473 INKER FOR MARKING MACHINES Frank Magidson, Pittsburgh, Pa., assignor to Pittsburgh Tag Company, a corporation of Pennsylvania Application August 18, 1932, Serial No. 629,284

9 Claims.

This invention relates to marking machines and more particularly to improvements inmechanisms for inking the type of a markingmachine and is a continuation in part of my copending application Serial No. 609,087, filed May 4, 1932.

One object of this invention is to provide a printing machine having novel means for inking the type.

Another object of this invention is to provide an inker for a marking machine in which an ink pad is moved across the type each time the platen is moved into and away from its printing position whereby the type is inked twice for each printing operation.

A further object of this invention is to provide mechanism for inking the type of a marking machine in which an ink pad is rolled across the type and underneath the printing head each time the platen is moved into printing position.

These and other objects which will be hereinafter made readily apparent to those skilled in the particular art, are accomplished by means of this invention, one embodiment of which is described in the following specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a marking machine, provided with inking mechanism embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a view in longitudinal section of the marking machine illustrating the position of the inker arm when it is first moved into contact with the type onthe printing head.

Fig. 3 is a view in longitudinal section showing the position of the inker after the type has een inked; and v Fig. 4 is a view in transverse section of the marking machine showing the position of the inker when the platen is in printing position.

Referring to the drawings in detail, 10 indicates the frame of a marking machine having a printing head 11 mounted thereon, which is composed of a series of vertically arranged'type wheels 12. These type wheels 12 which have printing characters formed on their peripheries, are movable about a vertical axis to position the characters into a vertical printing line.

When it is desired to use the machine, the type wheels are turned to place the proper characters in the printing line. The work to be marked is then placed over a sliding platen 13, and pressed against the characters in the printing line. The platen 13 is mounted on a push bar 14, secured to a frame 15, which is slidable in a track 16, in the frame 10. When the work has 55 been positioned over the platen 13, the push bar 14 is pushed forward and carries the work into engagement with the type on the printing head.

In order that the type will make an impression on the work carried into engagement therewith, I provide mechanism which is operativelyoo connected to the push bar 14 carrying the platen for inking the type each time the platen is moved into printing position. This inking mechanism comprises an ink pad 17 mounted on the end of an arm 18 which is pivotally mounted in a slot 19 in the sliding frame 15 carrying the push bar and platen 13. So that the pad 17 will be in position to strike the type when the platen is pushed forward, the arm 18 has a spring member 20 co'nnecting'the lower end thereof with a: lug 21, depending from the frame 15. The forward turning movement of the arm 18 caused by the spring 20 is limited by the ends of cam surfaces 22 on the sides of, the arm which engage the top of the frame'member 15. ,In order to insure the 75. inking of each of the printing characters in the printing line, the cam surfaces 22 on the arm 18 are so arranged that the ink pad 1'7 is held at an angle to the printing head.

From such a construction, it is apparent that so when the platen is moved forward, the top of the ink pad 17 will first engage the uppermost type wheel (Fig. 2) andthe bottom of the ink pad will be spaced a substantial distance from the lowermost of the type wheels. The continued ,movement of the push bar toward theprinting:head imparts a substantially rolling action to the ink pad and rolls it across, the type in the printing line. As the platen approaches the printing line, the cam surfaces 22 on the sides of the arm 18,- come in contact with spaced guides 23 which move the ink. pad 17 away from the printing characters so that the ink will not be smeared and directs the arm 18 underneath the printing head (Fig. 4) so that it is out of the way of the platen before it comes into contact with the type wheels.-

The guiding members 23 are spaced apart sufiiciently to permit the ink pad 17v to be received therebetween and hold the ink pad out of contact with the bottom of the printing head, whereby injury to the inking pad is prevented.

When the marking machine is not in use a clip member 25 may be slipped over the arm 18 to protect the inking pad 1'7 and keep it moist and free from dirt. So that the ink pad 17 may be readily inked, I provide a cylindrical container 26 which is secured to the top of the printing head 11 and in which an adequate supply of ink may be stored. The ink in the container 26 may be readily withdrawn therefrom and applied to the n sec ink pad by the use of a dropper 27 which also acts as a stopper for the container.

In operating the machine, the clip member 25 is removed from the arm 18 and the arm 18 is turned back against the tension of the spring 20 and a few drops of ink from the container 26 is placed on the pad 1'7 by means of the dropper 2'7. The garment or article to be marked is then placed over the rubber platen 13 and the push bar 14; is moved forward, causing the ink pad 1'7 to roll across the type in the printing line and underneath the printnig head before the platen contacts with the type.

When the article has been printed, the push bar 14 is returned to its original position and as it is being returned, a reverse motion, from that already described, is imparted to the arm 18 and the ink pad 17 is again rolled. across the type in the printing line, thereby inking the type twice for each cycle of movement of the platen 13.

From the foregoing description, it is readily apparent that I have provided an improved mechanism for inking the type of a printing machine in which each of the characters in the printing lineis fully inked due to the double action of the inking pad. Ihe ink is thereby evenly distributed and each of the characters makes practicall the same degree of impression; Therefore blurring of the type resulting from an uneven distribution and the smearing thereof due to an excess of the ink being deposited thereon is prevented.

While I have disclosed one embodiment of my invention it is to be understood that various changes in the structure thereof may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent isz- 1. The combination with a printing head of a sliding platen for carrying the work against the printing head and an inking arm operatively con-- nected to said platen, said arm being at an angle to the printing head whereby as the platen is moved into printing contact one end of the inking arm first engages one side of the printing head and is then rolled thereacrossand means for suddenly moving saidarm away from said head. on further movement of the platen toward the head to prevent the smearing of the type on said printing head.

2'. The combination with a printing head of a sliding platen for carrying'the work against the head, an arm operatively connected to the platen and an ink pad carried by said arm sai'd arm be- 1; ing disposed at an angle to the'printing head whereby the ink pad is caused to roll. across the type each time the platen is moved into printing position.

3. An inker for a marking machine having a printing head and a platen comprising an arm operatively'connected to said platen, an ink pad mounted on said arm, and cam acting means for imparting a rocking action to the arm each time the platen is moved into printing position whereby the ink pad is caused to roll across the type.

4. An inker for a marking machine having a printing head and sliding platen, comprising an arm operatively connected to said platen, an ink pad mounted on said arm, means for yieldingly holding said arm in an upright position, and means for guiding said arm underneath the printing head each time the platen is moved to printing position, said arm being arranged at an angle to the printing head whereby thetop or" the inking pad first contacts with the top of the printing head as the platen is first moved and then rolls across the type as the platen approaches printing position.

5. An inker fora marking machine having a printing head and a platen, comprising an arm pivotally connected with said platen, an ink pad on said arm, normally held at an angle to the face of said printing head, and means on the bottom of said printing head adapted to coact with the arm to move the ink pad out of contact. with the face of said printing head and guide the arm underneath the printing head as the platen is moved into printing position.

6. The combination with a printing head having a track thereon, of a sliding platen for car rying the work against the printing, head, an inking arm operatively connected to said platen and cam surfaces on said inking arm, adapted to engage said track as the platen is moved into printing contact and roll the inking arm across the type in the printing line.

'7. The combination with a printing head, of a platen slidable into contact with the type on printing head, an arm pivotally connected to said platen, cam surfaces on the sides of said arm, an ink pad carried on the end of arm, and means on the bottom of printing head adapted tocoact with said cam surfaces and roll said ink pad across the type as the platen is moved into printing position and across said type as the platen is returned to its original position.

8. A printing machine of the character described comprising a printing head, a platen, a

sliding frame supporting said platen, an arm pivotally mounted on said frame having upper end extending at an angle to the printing head, cam surfaces along the sides of said arm, an ink pad mounted on the ends of said arm, and means on the bottom of said printing head adapted to coact with said cam surfaces when said platen swing it out of contact therewith to prevent smearing of the type as the platen approaches printing position.

FRANK MAGIDSON.

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